Child sex abuse by a priest is immoral and evil. Children who fall prey to religious leaders suffer in incredible ways. Not only do they suffer at the hands of the abusing priest, but they suffer again, at the hands of the people, the institution, which is supposed to protect and support them.
Related Philadelphia Priest Abuse Articles:
- List of Philadelphia Priests Put on Leave in 2011
- Another Philadelphia Priest Arrested for Child Sex Abuse
The Philadelphia Archdiocese has been under a microscope ever since this summer’s trial against Monsignor Lynn, Avery and Brennan. The media and the world have been watching what the Archdiocese would do with the 21 priests it placed on leave last year.
In July, the Archdiocese decided the fate of several of those priests. According to the Archdiocese’ press release, dated July 6, 2012, “In the cases of those found unsuitable for ministry none were due to a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor and five were due to a substantiated violation of the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries. The priests found unsuitable for ministry will have no public ministry in the Archdiocese. They do have the right to appeal the decision to the Holy See. For those found to have a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, if they do not appeal, or if their appeal is unsuccessful, they could be laicized (removed from the clerical state) or live a life of prayer and penance.”
What’s troubling here is the statement, “For those found to have a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, if they do not appeal, or if their appeal is unsuccessful, they could be laicized (removed from the clerical state) or live a life of prayer and penance.”
So the Archdiocese is still willing to look the other way. Any priest who is found to have a substantiated allegation of sex abuse of a minor COULD be laicized OR left to live a life of prayer and penance? How about, “will be sent immediately to the District Attorney’s office for prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”?
Through its statement, the Archdiocese continues to demonstrate both a patent failure to understand the nature of priest sex abuse and an unforgiving unwillingness to care about the victims of the abuse.
Related Pennsylvania Priest Sex Abuse Legal Articles:
- Pennsylvania’s Criminal and Civil Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse
- Sex Abuse Victims – Top Three Questions About Filing a Civil Lawsuit
- Free Legal Assistance to Victims of Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania, New York & New Jersey
If you or a loved one has been a victim of sex abuse, contact Brian Kent, an experienced sex abuse victims’ civil lawyer in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Mr. Kent handles child molestation, sexual assault, sex abuse, and priest/clergy abuse cases in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He works with attorneys nationwide and can be admitted in other states to handle matters on a case by case basis. 800.220.7600
**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Published: August 16, 2012